BR112015029846B1 - CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE FOR KNITTING ITEMS OF AN "OPEN" TYPE CONFIGURED TO PRODUCE FABRIC AND COLLECTING IT IN AN OPEN CONFIGURATION, THAT IS, IN A SINGLE LAYER - Google Patents

Abstract

circular knitting machine for knitted articles of an "open" type and configured to produce fabric and collect the same in an open configuration, that is, in a single layer. This is a circular knitting machine for knitted articles (1), of an "open" type and configured to produce fabric (t) and collect the same in an open configuration, that is, in a single layer, comprising a base frame (2) that constitutes the supporting structure of the machine and provided with an upper support element or ring (3), with a lower base or crossed base (4), and with at least two support legs (5 , 6) interposed between and connecting, in at least two distinct and laterally distanced positions, the upper ring and the lower base, so that the upper ring (3) is vertically superimposed on and distanced from the lower base (4), and wherein between them a collection space(s) is vertically defined. The machine comprises a knitting head (h) mounted on the upper ring (3) and provided with at least one rotating needle supporting part (0), which is in the form of a needle cylinder or a needle plate, with a plurality of needles movably mounted on the needle holding part, and with control means for selectively activating the plurality of needles to enable production of a fabric. the machine comprises a withdrawal and/or collection group (30) movably housed in the collection space (s) and capable of opening and stretching the fabric produced by the machine, rolling it into a single layer and continuously in at least one collection roller (31). The entire withdrawal and/or collection group is rotatably mounted hanging from the base frame (2) or the needle support part (0), to be vertically suspended in the collection space (s).

Description

[001] The present invention refers to a circular knitting machine for knitted articles, of the type known as "open" provided with a base frame that has a reduced size. In greater detail, the invention relates to a base frame for an open type circular mesh machine. Additionally, the present invention refers to a circular mesh machine of the open type, equipped with a removal and/or collection group of the fabric produced by the machine. The invention additionally refers to a collection and/or collection group intended to be mounted on an open type circular mesh machine. Additionally, the invention relates to a tensioning roller for a withdrawal and/or collection group for open type circular mesh machines.

[002] The present invention refers to the field of technique of circular knitting machines for knitted articles belonging to a type known in the industry by the term OPEN. This type comprises circular knitting machines equipped with at least one needle support part, a cam device to control the movement of the needles and especially a pick-up group capable of collecting the fabric produced by the machine in a single layer, typically, by winding it onto a roll. The single-layer fabric arising from the needle holding part and collected by the take-up group can be obtained by cutting and opening a tubular fabric (as in most cases, the machine must continuously produce a tubular fabric) or, alternatively, it can be directly produced "openly", ie as a single continuous layer of fabric (which has a certain width). In other words, the pick-up group (by winding it onto a roll) is a single-layer fabric and not a cylindrically developing tubular fabric: the single-layer fabric has a continuous strip conformation of a special width and it can be obtained by opening a tubular conformation, by means of a continuous cut performed parallel to the direction of longitudinal development of the fabric produced, or by emerging from the machine already opened, in a single layer: this gives rise to the term "open", used to identify the machine type.

[003] Open type mesh machines can sometimes comprise a group that only collects, that is, that lacks the withdrawal function. This applies, for example, to those machines in which the withdrawal is carried out directly in the needle bed of the needles; in this case, the fabric produced by the needle-bearing part falls into the take-up group, which winds it onto a roll, typically by means of a winder. In any case, an open type machine can be defined as a circular knit machine in which the fabric produced is collected "open", that is, as a single layer, and is wound onto a take-up roller.

[004] The circular knitting machines of the present invention, in their various aspects, can be of a single needle bed type (with a single needle cylinder) or of the double needle bed type (which has a needle cylinder and a needle plate).

[005] The claims of the present invention, where they indicate a mesh machine "of the open type", thus specifically identify a mesh machine that has the characteristics described above for open machines, whose characteristics identify and define this clear type and unmistakably in the reference sector, and are clearly understandable to an expert in the field. The terminology used in the claims must therefore be correctly interpreted in light of data related to the technical sector of reference. In particular, the characteristic according to which the machine of the present invention is of the open type must be understood as a precise technical characteristic, which constitutes a limitation and must not be interpreted as a mere example of a mesh machine, among the many types in existence, which incorporates the additional technical features presented in the claims.

[006] In the knitting machine sector for knitted articles, circular knitting machines of the "open" type are known. These machines are provided with a special base frame that constitutes their support structure and that supports and houses all the components of the machine, in particular, the mesh head (which comprises the needle support part, a plurality of needles and means of command of the needles) and the removal and collection group. The base frame additionally allows the machine to rest stable in the designated work place.

[007] Open-type machines typically exhibit a needle-bearing part, i.e., a needle cylinder or a needle plate, which has a diameter in the order of 30 to 102 centimeters (40 inches), however, there are others examples that have a smaller diameter, eg 61 centimeters (24 inches). In addition to being 102 centimeters (40 inches) in diameter, the knitting machine takes on excessive dimensions that make making and transferring difficult.

[008] As shown above, open circular machines typically produce a tubular fabric that is opened through a longitudinal cut performed by a cutter and then opened and stretched for the purpose of being rolled - in a single layer - into a collection roller. Consequently, the lateral dimension of the open fabric collected on the roll, below the cylinder, is double the diameter assumed by the "flattened" and uncut tubular product (i.e., closed to form two layers of fabric joined at the sides). The opening of the fabric thus leads to a considerable increase in the load on the machine below the cylinder, that is, in the area that houses the collection and/or collection group. This area needs to be free of structural elements that can interfere with the structure and movement of the pickup and/or pickup group, which is sized to collect the open fabric stretched over its entire width. From this derives the fact that the base frame of open-loop machines of the known type exhibits a considerable load.

[009] All open circular mesh machines belonging to the prior art exhibit a base frame with three legs, arranged circumferentially around the withdrawal and/or collection group and which supports a support ring in the upper part in which the head of mesh and needle cylinder are assembled. The three legs are typically equidistant angularly, that is, they are at 120° angles to each other. Typically, one of the three arms constitutes the main leg, which is longer than the other two "side" legs and houses the machine's control means. This frame-base structure allows the stable support of the entire machine, considering the great weight of the structure, the large dimension and the presence of moving parts. Known structures are designed to prevent the machine from tipping over and to limit the vibration phenomenon.

[010] The three-legged base frame structure of the known type exhibits a number of disadvantages. First, it is clear that the circular arrangement of the three legs determines a large load of the machine both in terms of width and in terms of length, that is, considering two load directions perpendicular to each other - in plan view - of the knitting machine. Typically, machine length is defined along the geometric axis of the fabric take-up roller passing through the main leg, while width is defined as the maximum lateral extent of the two lateral legs. In general, the machine load can be schematically represented as a rectangle having the length and width mentioned above as sides, and is a function of the dimension and arrangement of the three legs; the structure of known baseframes exhibits large dimensions in both length and width.

[011] The large weight of the base frames of known machines is a very significant problem in the open mesh machines sector, since the maximum dimensions to realize a machine are limited to the need to produce the machine transportable by means of transport standard (not exceptional shipping) and easily at a modest cost. In greater detail, there are strict standards for the transport of goods, which reject specific excess dimensions in terms of length and width. These standards are linked to the dimensions of containers for transporting goods and the dimensions of the means of transport (such as trucks, trains and trailers), especially the width of these containers and means (which typically cannot exceed 230 to 240 cm).

[012] Therefore, in machines of the known type, with three-legged base frames, the need to not exceed these limits is transformed into the difficulty of realizing machines capable of producing fabrics that have a width greater than a certain limit, since the width of the collected tissue corresponds to the dimensions of the collection and/or collection group, and even more considerably, to the external dimensions of the base frame that houses the group. This is extremely disadvantageous, as it would be desirable to have the ability to "openly" produce and collect fabrics with an even greater width. A further disadvantage of the known machines, owing to the three-legged shaping of the base frame, is the poor accessibility of the mesh head and the needle holding part. This causes a reduction in the machine's productivity, as the structure makes it difficult for an operator to intervene, for example, in the event of a thread or needle breakage. Likewise, assembly and maintenance of machine parts can be long and difficult due to the presence of the base frame legs.

[013] To remedy the disadvantages determined by the three-legged base frame, the present depositor has in the past made a circular mesh machine of the open type which has a three-legged base frame arranged with non-constant angles between them, i.e. , not 120°. In this solution, each of the side legs forms, with the main leg (arranged along the longitudinal geometric axis of the machine) an angle greater than 120°, for example 135°, while between the two side legs the angle is less than 120° , for example, 90°. In other words, it is as if the two lateral legs had been rotated backwards, reducing the included angle between them. In this way, it was possible to reduce, for a limited volume, the width of the machine, while the length was increased. This was advantageous since the increase in length is not exactly a problem, as the transport dimensions are mainly limited in width, while they are abundant in terms of length.

[014] An additional solution, which attempted to remedy the three-legged loading problems, is described in patent EP1253230. This patent illustrates a three-legged base frame, of which a fixed main leg (arranged along the longitudinal axis of the machine) and two lateral legs symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis are capable of passing between a transport configuration and a job setup. The side legs can vary their radial extension (in relation to the central geometric axis of the machine) in order to be close to the central support ring in the transport configuration (which, therefore, has a smaller width size) and more considerably distanced from it in the working configuration. The radial extension variation is achieved by means of a pair of horizontal rods (or "extensions") for each lateral leg, which connect the upper and lower ends of each leg to the support leg and at the base of the base frame when the legs Sides are in the work configuration, while they are removed - by mounting the side legs directly to the support ring and base frame base - when the legs are in the transport configuration. It is observed that, in the working configuration, the radial spacing of the lateral legs of the central support ring, obtained through the extensions, allows a free space to be provided below the cylinder that allows the accommodation and operation of the withdrawal group and collect; in this way, the machine can operate correctly. On the contrary, the transport configuration can only be used for this purpose: the sidewalls are, in fact, mounted in a position close to the cylinder (to reduce the load in width and facilitate transport), and occupy the space destined for rotation. of the withdrawal and collection parts.

[015] The applicant concluded, however, that even base frames for open type mesh machines of the modified type, with legs disposed at non-constant angles or with detachable legs as described in patent no. EP1253230, are not, however , able to completely overcome the disadvantages and are unlikely in many ways. In particular, known solutions are able to only partially limit the load in terms of width of open mesh machines; this means that the relevant transport problem persists. Additionally, the problems related to the poor accessibility of the mesh head and the needle support part, fundamental for a quick intervention in the machine, are only mitigated and not resolved.

[016] Additionally, the solution offerings - in particular, the base frame described in patent no. EP1253230 - exhibit a structure that is difficult to be realized and/or requires complex machine configuration operations for transport and operation of the same.

[017] Open type circular knitting machines typically comprise a device, known in the industry as a take-and-collect group, which collects the fabric produced by the knitting machine in a single-layer take-up layer. The take-up group can additionally be used to "stretch" tissue arising from the needle holding part, ensuring its descent as tissue is produced in the needle position; on some machines, the removal of the fabric takes place directly in the vicinity of the needle support part and the group is used only to collect the fabric (already tensioned).

[018] In open machines that produce a tubular fabric (that is, they do not produce a fabric directly "open"), the withdrawal and/or collection group comprises the cutting of parts capable of longitudinally cutting the tubular fabric produced by the support part of needle so as to make it "open" and therefore knottable in a single layer on the take-up roller.

[019] The withdrawal and collection group may additionally comprise parts, such as means for flattening a tubular fabric, opening means to open the fabric after cutting, traction roller for controlled advancement of the fabric in its path towards the roller as well as actuators and means of synchronizing the movements of the various parts.

[020] The withdrawal and collection group is typically mounted on the machine below the needle holding part (in a specially designed collection space for the group) and is able to rotate solidly with the needle holding part for the purpose of following the production of fabric and collecting the fabric in a roll or in overlapping folded layers.

[021] Examples of pick-up and pick-up groups for knitted machines of an open type are illustrated in patent documents EP 0456576, EP 0696658 and WO 00/50678. In more detail, pickup and pickup groups display a frame holder of all parts of the group and arranged on the machine at the bottom of the mesh head. The entire frame rotates solidly with the needle support part, and is additionally rested on the lower base of the machine by support means (comprising, for example, a bearing) which supports the weight and at the same time allows rotation; the support means at the bottom can be activated (eg by a motor) in order to determine the rotation of the entire frame.

[022] The Applicant concluded that open-loop machines of the known type, in particular the take-up and collection groups of these machines, exhibit disadvantages and are unlikely in several ways. Firstly, the known withdrawal groups exhibit a large weight and load. Additionally, their insertion into the machine requires connection and movement means that are complex and expensive, due in particular to the need to support the entire load of the rotating pickup and collection group and to synchronize the movement with respect to the part of needle support.

[023] These problems increase when considering that open-type knitted machines typically exhibit needle-bearing parts that have a large diameter, which require complex pick-up and pick-up groups that are also large.

[024] Known type take-up and take-up groups typically exhibit internally at least one stretch roller, or tensioning roller, which intercepts the fabric upstream of the take-up roller and is configured to open it progressively, in a width direction of the same, so that the fabric reaches the collection roller in its most open and stretched configuration, over its entire width. Examples of drawing roller for this purpose are illustrated in patent documents EP 0534917 and WO 00/50678: the rollers exhibit two grooved portions which extend helically in opposite directions from the center towards the two ends of the rollers.

[025] However, the applicant concluded that the known stretcher rollers exhibit some limitations and disadvantages.

[026] Additionally, the known type stretch rollers are not able to effectively create a complete stretch of the fabric before it reaches the take-up roller; this leads to build-up on the fabric collection roller that exhibits creases, wrinkles and/or unwanted overlapping, which can damage the fabric and compromise fabric quality, complicating subsequent finishing or packaging operations performed on the fabric, or may require operations additional adjustment of fabric on the take-up roller.

[027] Additionally, stretcher rollers of the known type do not allow the entity and size of the stretch performed on the fabric to be modified; furthermore, different levels of stretch cannot be set at the ends of the roll, on different portions of fabric that pass the stretcher.

[028] Also, stretcher rollers of known types are characterized by a complex structure and high manufacturing and maintenance costs.

[029] Additionally, since the known stretcher rollers have limited efficiency in the lateral stretching of the fabric, they have an influence on the performance of the entire removal and collection group; this typically requires the use of a plurality of stretcher rolls or oversized stretcher rolls, with the effect of increasing the complexity and/or dimensions and/or cost of carrying out the take-up group.

[030] The limitations in performance of the known type stretcher rollers lead to a reduction in the efficiency of the entire sizing and collection group in stretching the outer edges of the fabric, which tend to curl or curl themselves in the longitudinal direction, forming in a roll that looks like a cigarette shape on each side.

[031] The depositor also concluded that, in the known withdrawal and collection groups, the various elements that cooperate with the fabric of the needle holding part for the collection roller, i.e., opening means, stretching rollers, tensioning rollers and traction rollers, are reciprocally arranged in a way that is not ideal, generating misalignments and/or wrinkles in the fabric, in particular rollers on the lateral edges of the fabric, and determine a non-uniform winding in the take-up roller.

[032] In this situation, the objective underlying the present invention, in the various aspects and/or modalities thereof, is to provide a circular knitting machine for knitted articles of the open type, a pickup and/or collection group for knitting machines. open type circular mesh, and a draw roller for a take-up and/or collection group for open type circular mesh machines which are able to avoid one or more of the above mentioned disadvantages.

[033] An additional objective of the present invention is to provide a circular mesh machine of the open type characterized by a base frame that has a smaller size compared to known solutions, in particular, a smaller width.

[034] A further objective of the present invention is to provide a circular mesh machine of the open type capable of being transported easily.

[035] A further objective of the present invention is to provide an open type circular knitting machine capable of making and collecting open fabrics that have a large width, in particular greater than a maximum width obtainable with known machines, while preserving the possibility of being transported using standard means of transport.

[036] A further objective of the present invention is to provide a circular mesh machine of the open type characterized by a high degree of accessibility to the mesh head and the needle cylinder.

[037] An additional objective of the present invention is to provide a circular mesh machine of the open type characterized by greater productivity compared to known machines.

[038] A further objective of the present invention is to provide a circular knitting machine for knitted articles of an open type characterized by a simple and rational structure. A further objective of the present invention is to provide a circular mesh machine of an open type characterized by greater ease of fabrication and/or assembly and/or installation and/or maintenance.

[039] An additional objective of the present invention is to provide a circular mesh machine of an open type equipped with a withdrawal and/or collection group and characterized by a simple and rational structure.

[040] A further objective of the present invention is to provide a circular knitting machine for knitted articles of an open type in which the withdrawal and/or collection group is both supported and defined in rotation effectively.

[041] A further objective of the present invention is to provide a circular knitting machine for knitted articles of an open type in which the withdrawal and/or collection group is rotatably mounted on the machine in an innovative way.

[042] A further objective of the present invention is to provide a withdrawal and/or collection group for open type circular mesh machines that is capable of preventing the formation of misalignment and/or wrinkles in the collected fabric and, in particular, to prevent curling of the side edges of the fabric. A further objective of the present invention is to provide a take-off and/or take-up group for open-type circular mesh machines which is capable of performing a uniform and flat winding of the fabric on the take-up roll.

[043] A further objective of the present invention is to provide a tensioning roller for a take-off and/or take-up group for circular knitted machines of an open type that can effectively open and stretch the fabric.

[044] A further objective of the present invention is to provide a stretching roller for a take-off and/or pick-up group for circular mesh machines of an open type that can reduce the space required internally of the take-off and/or pick-up group to in order to effectively stretch the fabric before it is wound onto the take-up roller.

[045] A further objective of the present invention is to provide a draw roller for a take-off and/or pick-up group for circular knitting machines of an open type that is versatile and adaptable to various fabric requirements and different fabric types and dimensions .

[046] A further objective of the present invention is to provide a tensioning roller for a withdrawal and/or collection group for circular mesh machines of an open type that is simple and/or economical in manufacturing.

[047] These and other objectives, which will emerge more fully during the course of the following description, are substantially achieved by a circular knitting machine for knitted articles of an open type, a pick-up and/or collection group for circular knitting machines of the open type, and a drawing roller for a take-off and/or collection group for open type circular knitted machines in accordance with one or more of the appended claims, each of which adopted alone (without the relative dependencies) or in any combination with the other claims, as well as in accordance with the following aspects and/or embodiments, variously combined, including the claims mentioned above.

[048] In a first aspect, the invention refers to a circular mesh machine of an open type, configured to produce fabric and collect it in an open way, that is, in a single layer.

[049] In one aspect, the mesh machine comprises a base frame that constitutes the support structure of the machine.

[050] In one aspect, the knitting machine comprises a knitting head mounted on said base frame and provided with at least one needle support part, which is in the form of a needle cylinder or a needle plate, with a plurality of needles movably mounted on said at least one needle-bearing portion, and with control means for selectively activating said plurality of needles to enable production of a fabric.

[051] In one aspect, the base frame comprises: - an upper supporting element or ring, in which said mesh head is mounted so that said needle-supporting part can rotate around a central geometric axis substantially vertical; - a lower base, or cross base, intended to be at least partially rested on the ground; - two and only two support legs interposed between and connecting, in two distinct and laterally spaced positions, said upper ring and said lower base, so that said upper ring is vertically superimposed on, and distanced from, said base lower, and between them a collection space is vertically defined, free from elements of said base frame and intended to mobileally house a group for the removal and/or collection of said fabric produced by the knitting machine, in which the two said legs are arranged in correspondence with two respective sides of said upper ring and said lower base, or crossed base, so as to laterally delimit said collection space.

[052] In one aspect, the needle-bearing portion, preferably a needle-bearing cylinder, has a diameter greater than 61 centimeters (24 inches), and/or greater than 66 centimeters (26 inches) and/or greater than 76 centimeters (30 inches) and/or greater than 91 centimeters (36 inches) and/or greater than 102 centimeters (40 inches).

[053] In a further independent aspect thereof, the invention relates to a circular knitting machine for knitted articles of an open type and configured to produce fabric and collect it openly, that is, as a single layer, wherein the machine comprises: - a base frame constituting the support structure of the machine and comprising an upper support element or ring, a lower base or cross base, and at least two support legs interposed between and connecting , in at least two distinct and laterally spaced positions, said upper ring and said lower base, so that said upper ring is vertically superimposed on, and distanced from, said lower base, and between them a collection space is vertically defined, free from elements of said base frame and intended to mobileally house a group for taking and/or collecting said fabric produced by the knitting machine; - a mesh head mountable on said upper ring and provided with at least one rotating needle-bearing part, which is in the form of a needle cylinder or a needle plate, with a plurality of needles movably mounted on said at least one needle-bearing portion, and with control means for selectively activating said plurality of needles to enable production of a fabric; - a withdrawal and/or collection group mobilely housed in said collection space and configured and predisposed at least to open and stretch, or even possibly to tension from said needle support part, the fabric produced by the machine, by winding the same in a single layer and continuously on at least one pick-up roller.

[054] In one aspect, preferably according to the previous aspect, the entire withdrawal and/or collection group is pivotally mounted hanging on said base frame or on said needle support part to be vertically suspended on the said collection space.

[055] In one aspect, the needle support portion is a needle support cylinder or a needle support plate. In one aspect, the knitting machine is of a single needle bed type comprising a single needle holding part, or a double needle bed type comprising two needle holding parts, respectively, a cylinder. needle and a needle plate.

[056] In a further independent aspect, the invention relates to a drawing roller, or tensioning roller, for a withdrawal and/or collection group of a circular knitting machine for knitted articles of the open type, configured to produce fabric and collect the same in an open configuration, i.e., as a single layer, in which the drawing roller is intended to be mounted on a frame of the withdrawal and/or collection group in an intermediate position between a needle-supporting part of the machine mesh and a take-up roller for the fabric and arranged with a longitudinal axis thereof substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the take-up roller.

[057] In one aspect, the stretch roller is configured to interact with the fabric advancing towards the take-up roller such that the fabric passes over at least a portion of the stretch roller, around and in contact with it. , and is configured to stretch the fabric toward two opposite side ends of the stretch roller.

[058] In one aspect, the stretcher roller comprises a rod, mountable on the frame and exhibiting its longitudinal geometric axis, and a plurality of sectors rotatably mounted on the rod for the purpose of being able to rotate on the rod, each sector independently of the other sectors, around a respective geometric axis of rotation. In one aspect, each sector develops on a respective plane of development inclined transversely, rather than perpendicularly, to the longitudinal geometric axis of the stretcher rod. In one aspect, the respective geometric axis of rotation of each sector is perpendicular to the respective plane of development.

[059] In a further independent aspect, the invention relates to a withdrawal and/or collection group for circular knitting machine of an open type, configured to produce fabric and collect it openly, that is, as a layer single, in which the withdrawal and/or collection group is movably housed in a collection space of the knitting machine and configured and predisposed at least to open and stretch, possibly pulling the fabric produced by the needle-bearing part of a needle holding part of the knitting machine, and winding the fabric in a single layer continuously on at least one take-up roll.

[060] In one aspect, the withdrawal and/or collection group comprises a support frame mountable to a base of the knitting machine and configured to rotate solidly with the needle support portion.

[061] In a further aspect, the withdrawal and/or collection group comprises means for opening the tissue that arises directly as a single layer of the needle support part or obtained by cutting a tubular fabric produced by the needle support part. needle, wherein the opening means comprise at least one opening bar mounted, preferably fixedly, in the frame and the structure with the purpose of causing an opening, by means of a progressive spacing, of two lateral edges of the fabric, in that the fabric passes over the tear bar on a descent of the fabric into the take-up space towards a take-up roller and extends in width on the tear bar as a single layer of fabric.

[062] In one aspect, the withdrawal and/or collection group comprises at least one collection roller pivotally mounted on the frame and intended to receive the fabric from the opening means and collect it therein in a single and continuous layer , the pick-up roller is capable of rotating around a respective geometric axis of rotation.

[063] In one aspect, the withdrawal and/or collection group comprises at least one return roller operatively interposed between the open fabric opening means and the collection roller along a fabric advance path, wherein the return roller is configured to receive the fabric from the opening means and to send it in a single layer towards the take-up roller, wherein the return roller is capable of rotating about a respective geometric axis of rotation.

[064] In one aspect, the withdrawal and/or collection group comprises at least one stretch roller, or tensioning roller, mounted on the frame in an operationally intermediate position between the opening means and the collection roller and arranged with an axle longitudinal geometric thereof substantially parallel to the rotation of the collection roller, in which the stretching roller is configured to interact with the fabric advancing towards the collection roller in order to stretch it making it plane, enlarging it towards the two lateral ends of the stretcher roller.

[065] In one aspect, the return roller has a respective geometric axis of rotation seated in a vertical first plane, the take-up roller has a respective rotation thereof seated in a vertical second plane, and the tension roller has a geometric axis longitudinal of the same seated in a third vertical plane.

[066] In one aspect, the at least one tensioning roller is positioned in the take-off and/or pick-up group such that the distance between the third plane and the foreground is at least equal to the distance between the second plane and the foreground plane and the second and third planes are in the same half-space defined by the foreground.

[067] Each of the aforementioned aspects of the invention may be adopted alone or in combination with any of the claims or other aspects described.

[068] Additional features and advantages will emerge more fully from the following detailed description of some modality, among which other preferred modes, through non-exclusive examples, of a circular knit machine for "open" type knitted articles , according to the present invention, a withdrawal and/or collection group for circular knitting machines of the open type according to the present invention, and a drawing roller for withdrawal and/or collection group for circular knitting machines of the type opened according to the present invention. The description will be presented below in reference to the Figures of the attached drawings, provided by way of non-limiting example only, in which:

[069] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a possible embodiment of a circular knitting machine for open type knitted articles according to the present invention;

[070] Figure 2 is a top plan view of the machine in Figure 1;

[071] Figure 3 is a side view of the machine of Figure 1;

[072] Figure 4 is an exploded view of the machine of Figure 1;

[073] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the machine of Figure 1, complete with closure casings in a closed configuration;

[074] Figure 6 illustrates an additional perspective view of the machine of Figure 5, in which the casings mounted on one side of the machine are shown in an open configuration;

[075] Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of a possible modality of a withdrawal and/or collection group for circular knitting machines of the open type according to the present invention, which comprises - by way of example - a fabric produced by knitting and collected by the group;

[076] Figure 8 is a top plan view of the Figure 7 group;

[077] Figure 9 is a front view of the group of Figure 7;

[078] Figure 10 is a side view of the group of Figure 7; Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the group of Figure 7, sectioned along plane XI-XI and with some parts removed;

[079] Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of the group of Figure 7;

[080] Figure 13 is a schematic view of a possible embodiment of a withdrawal and/or collection group for open type circular mesh machines according to the present invention, seen from the side;

[081] Figure 14 is a schematic illustration of an additional embodiment of a withdrawal and/or collection group for open type circular mesh machines according to the present invention, viewed from the side;

[082] Figure 15 is a perspective view of a possible embodiment of a stretcher roller for a withdrawal and/or collection group for an open type machine of meshes, according to the present invention;

[083] Figure 15a is a larger-scale front view of a portion of the tensioning roller of Figure 15;

[084] Figure 16 is a perspective view of an additional possible embodiment of a circular mesh open type machine of the present invention, complete with a withdrawal and/or collection group;

[085] Figure 17 is a perspective view from below of the open mesh type machine of Figure 16;

[086] Figure 18 is a larger-scale perspective view of a detail of the circular knitting machine of Figure 16;

[087] Figure 19 is a perspective view from below of an additional possible embodiment of a circular mesh open type machine according to the present invention, complete with an additional embodiment of the withdrawal and/or collection group;

[088] Figure 20 is an additional perspective view of the circular mesh open type machine of Figure 19;

[089] Figure 21 is a perspective view from above and on a larger scale of a detail of the circular knitting machine of Figure 19.

[090] Referring to the Figures of the drawings, 1 denotes in its entirety a circular knitting machine for open type knitted articles, according to the present invention, while the number 30 denotes a pick-up and collection group for a machine of open type mesh, in accordance with the present invention; the number 60 denotes a draw roller, for pick-up and pick-up groups for open-mesh machines, in accordance with the present invention. In general, the same reference number is used for identical elements, possibly in different modalities of them.

[091] A first modality of a knitting machine according to the present invention is shown in Figures 1-6. The circular knitting machine 1 comprises a base frame 2, which constitutes the support structure of the machine, and a mesh head mounted on the base frame and provided with at least one needle support part O, a plurality of mounted needles. movably in the needle holding part, and control means capable of selectively activating the plurality of needles to enable the production of a fabric T. The needle holding part O may be a needle cylinder (as schematically shown in the Figures 16-21) or a needle plate. Needles of the needle holding part are not shown in detail, being of the conventional type and well known in the technical reference sector.

[092] The base frame 2 comprises a ring or upper support element 3, in which the mesh head is mounted so that the needle-bearing part O can rotate around a substantially vertical central axis A, and it comprises a lower base, or cross base 4, intended to be at least partially rested on the ground. The base frame comprises additional two and only two support legs 5 and 6.

[093] The two legs 5 and 6 are interposed between and connect, in two distinct and laterally spaced positions, the upper ring 3 and the lower base 4, so that said upper ring is vertically superimposed on, and distanced from, the base lower, and between them a collection space S is vertically defined, free from elements of said base frame and intended to mobileally house a collection and/or collection group 30 of said fabric produced by the knitting machine.

[094] The two legs are on two respective sides of said upper ring and said lower base, or cross base, in order to laterally delimit said collection space S. The upper support element 3 is preferably ring-shaped , but it can adopt different formats, as long as the formats are suitable for the purpose of supporting the mesh and can be laterally supported by the base legs.

[095] The knitting machine 1 is preferably configured to collect the fabric from a single collection part, by means of a collection and/or collection group mobilely mounted on the base frame, as will be more fully described below . The upper support ring 3 is preferably coaxial with the central geometric axis A. The two legs 5 and 6 preferably have a substantially vertical development and are structured to stably support the upper ring, preventing the machine from tipping over in any configuration. Work. The two legs are preferably aligned along said longitudinal plane P and the central geometric axis A of the needle-bearing part is parallel to and preferably lies in the longitudinal plane P. The longitudinal plane P is preferably substantially vertical. The two legs 5 and 6 are preferably aligned along the longitudinal plane P so as to form two equal angles between them of 180° (see in particular Figure 2). The knitting machine preferably exhibits an overall length, defined as a load along said longitudinal plane (P), externally delimited by the two legs 5, 6, and exhibits an overall width, defined as a load of the machine in a perpendicular direction. to the longitudinal plane P: the total length and width define the maximum load of the knitting machine.

[096] A first leg 5 of the two legs preferably extends vertically between a lower end 5a, connected and mounted to a first mounting portion 4a of the cross base 4, and a respective upper end 5b, connected and mounted to the upper ring 3 A second leg 6 of the two legs preferably extends vertically between a respective lower end 6a, connected and mounted to a second mounting portion 4b of the cross-base, opposite the first mounting portion 4a, and a respective upper end 6b, connected and mounted on the upper ring in an opposite direction relative to the first leg. The first leg 5 and the second leg 6 are preferably substantially identical and, in particular, exhibit the same height between the lower end and the upper end thereof. The lower ends 5a and 6a of the two legs are preferably perpendicular to the cross base 4. The cross base preferably comprises a central portion 4c, which extends between the first 4a and the second mounting portion 4b and is centrally crossed by the central geometric axis. A of the needle holding part O.

[097] The cross base 4 further preferably comprises one or two lateral portions 7a, 7b solidly constrained and coplanar with the central portion 4c and extending from opposite sides of the central portion in the two opposite split planes with respect to the longitudinal plane P from knitting machine.

[098] The needle holding portion O preferably has a diameter greater than 61 centimeters (24 inches) and/or greater than 66 centimeters (26 inches) and/or greater than 76 centimeters (30 inches) and/or greater than 91 centimeters (36 inches) and/or greater than 102 centimeters (40 inches).

[099] The base frame 2 preferably exhibits a general closed polygonal structure, which develops in the longitudinal plane P, where the polygon preferably has a rectangular shape with four sides, of which an upper side is constituted by the upper ring 3 , one lower side is constituted by the cross base 4 and two lateral sides constituted by the two support legs 5 and 6.

[0100] The base frame 2 preferably exhibits a portal structure, in which the portal is delimited at the top by the support ring 3, at the bottom by the cross base 4 and laterally by the two support legs 5 and 6, to define a passage open in a transverse direction and perpendicular to the longitudinal plane P and delimited along the longitudinal plane by the two support legs 5 and 6, in which the passage houses the withdrawal and/or collection group 30.

[0101] The above mentioned general width of the base frame of the knitting machine is less than 230 cm. The two legs 5 and 6 preferably exhibit a width, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal plane L, which is less than 100 cm and/or less than 75 cm and/or less than 50 cm and/or less than 25 cm. The two legs preferably exhibit a width, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal plane, greater than 10 cm and/or greater than 15 cm and/or greater than 20 cm. The two legs preferably extend laterally symmetrically in the two divided planes defined by the longitudinal plane P. The cross base 4 preferably has a lateral extension in one or both of the divided planes identified by the longitudinal plane P, at least equal to the width of the two legs. In a case where the lateral extension is equal to the width of the legs, the cross base exhibits only the central portion 4c and lacks the lateral portions 7a and 7b. The cross base 4 preferably has a lateral extension, in one or the two divided planes identified by the longitudinal plane P, which is substantially equal to the lateral extension of the needle holding part O, i.e. the diameter of the needle holding part . In that case, the respective plane loads of the needle-bearing part O and the cross-base 4 are substantially equal.

[0102] The cross base 4 preferably has a lateral extension, in one or the two divided planes identified by the longitudinal plane P, which is substantially equal to the lateral extension of the upper ring. In that case, the respective loads in the plan view of the upper ring 3 and the cross base are substantially equal.

[0103] The crisscross base 4 preferably extends laterally beyond the lateral width of the two legs, in one or both of the two divided planes identified by the longitudinal plane P, at least by 10 cm and/or 20 cm and/or 40 cm and /or 60 cm and/or 80 cm and/or 100 cm. The crisscross base 4 preferably has a respective overall width, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal plane P, greater than 50 cm and/or greater than 100 cm and/or greater than 150 cm and/or greater than 200 cm. The lateral load of the cross base 4 is preferably symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal plane P.

[0104] The respective width of the cross base 4 is preferably defined as a total lateral load of the two side portions 7a and 7b of the cross base. The needle holding part is preferably mounted coaxially to the upper ring 3, the ring having a central hole through which the fabric T produced by the machine progressively descends into the collection space S. Each of the two legs 5 and 6 comprises of preferably a respective vertically extending peg 11, 12, bearing at the bottom the lower edge of the leg 5a and 6a, and a respective horizontally extending crosspiece 13 and 14, ending with the upper end of the leg 5b and 6b ; each crosspiece 13 and 14 is solidly joined, at an end opposite to the upper ring, to a top of the respective stake so that the leg adopts an angular conformation, i.e., an L-shape.

[0105] Each of the two cross pieces 13 and 14 is preferably capable of laterally distancing the peg 11 or 12 of the respective leg in relation to the upper ring 3 to increase the extension of the collection space S in the direction of the longitudinal plane P. As two cross pieces are positioned above the collection space S and the two pegs are positioned on the sides of the collection space S. The top ring 3 is preferably mounted on the two legs 5 and 6, even more preferably it is mounted on the top of the cross pieces of the two legs (as seen in the Figures).

[0106] Figure 4 is an exploded view of a possible modality of the base frame 2, in which the various elements that make up it can be seen. For each of the two legs 5 and 6, the respective peg 11, 12 and the respective cross piece 13, 14 were illustrated, in this case realized by means of cutting and bending metal sheets. Each leg is obtained by assembling the respective cross piece on the respective stake, in order to form a single body. Each leg is assembled into its parts during the baseframe making step, and the connection between the peg and the crosspiece is of a non-removable type. Additionally, each leg - once assembled and secured to the upper ring and lower cross base - maintains a unique configuration within the base frame, both during transport and during machine operation.

[0107] The two legs 5 and 6 preferably have a section, in a horizontal plane, which is polygonal and preferably rectangular.

[0108] The base frame 2 preferably comprises an additional sealing ring 8, mounted on the upper ends of the two legs 5 and 6 in a lower position relative to the upper ring and preferably coaxially thereto.

[0109] The additional ring 8 preferably exhibits a central hole through which the fabric T, produced by the machine and arising from the needle holding part O, progressively descends into the collection space S. The additional ring 8 is preferably mounted on the underside of the two cross pieces 13 and 14 of the two legs 5 and 6. the base frame 2 preferably comprises one or more stiffening plates 19a and 19b, which preferably exhibit an angular conformation, each interposed between and which connects the lower end of a respective leg to the respective cross-base mounting portion for the purpose of stiffening and stabilizing the base frame. The needle holding part is preferably a needle cylinder or a needle plate. Preferably, the base frame 2, and even more preferably the entire knitting machine 1, is substantially symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal plane P. The two legs 5 and 6 and the cross base 4 are preferably dimensioned and structured with the purpose of determining a maximum mesh machine load to allow transport, with the base frame mounted, through the use of standard sized means of transport, eg containers or trucks.

[0110] As shown, for example, in Figures 5 and 6, the base frame preferably comprises at least one collection space closure envelope S, movably mounted on at least one of the two legs and configured to close laterally the collection space in relation to the longitudinal plane P.

[0111] The casing is preferably positioned laterally to the collection space beyond the lateral extent of the cross base.

[0112] The at least one housing is preferably movably mounted on the base frame at least between a closed configuration (Figure 5), in which it prevents access to the collection space, and an open configuration (Figure 6), in the which allows access to the collection space transversely to the longitudinal plane P. In one aspect, the at least one housing is swivelably mounted on at least one of the two legs 5 or 6 so as to pass by means of a rotation between the closed configuration and the open configuration. The knitting machine can comprise two casings, preferably identical to each other, arranged on opposite sides of the base frame in relation to the longitudinal plane P and configured to close the collection space in the two divided planes defined by the longitudinal plane P, in which each of the casings is disposed externally with respect to the cross base. As shown by way of example in Figures 5 and 6, the knitting machine 1 advantageously comprises two pairs of casings 15 and 16, 17 and 18, preferably identical to each other. Each pair of casings is arranged on a respective side of the base frame 2 in relation to the longitudinal plane P and is configured to close the collection space in one of the divided planes defined by the longitudinal plane. Each of the two pairs of casings is arranged externally with respect to the cross base. Each of the two pairs of casings comprises a first casing (15 or 17), rotatably mounted on one of the legs of the base frame and configured to substantially enclose half of the collection space in the respective split plane with respect to the longitudinal plane, and a second housing (16 or 18) swivelably mounted on the other leg of the base frame and configured to enclose the other half of the collection space in which the first housing is mounted. In each of the two pairs of enclosures, the first and second enclosures are swivelably mounted on the two legs of the base frame to open in opposite directions to allow access to the collection space from the respective side of the base frame , and to close, making contact with each other.

[0113] The casings allow the safe operation of the mesh machine: in fact, the collection and/or collection group works through rotation in the collection space and, therefore, it is necessary to make the collection space inaccessible during machine operation , to avoid accidental contact with moving parts. Conversely, the enclosures must also allow access to the interior of the take-up space for machine setup and maintenance operations and for loading/unloading the take-up reel for fabric; that's why the wrappers can be opened separately or selectively, manually or automatically.

[0114] The cross base 4, as shown by way of example in the Figures, has a polygonal shape (in plan view) and is performed by assembling (by means of screws, welding or other means of gripping) a group of bars or limbs and longitudinal plates. The cross base may comprise one or more resting feet (preferably adjustable in height) for correct positioning of the base frame on a floor. The mesh machine 1 typically comprises a control means, not described in greater detail as those of the known type, configured to manage the operation of the entire machine. The control means is preferably associated with one of the two legs (eg contained internally in one or both legs).

[0115] In the following, a description will be given of an embodiment of a knitting machine according to a further aspect of the present invention, with particular reference to Figures 7-12 and 16-21.

[0116] The open circular knitting machine 1 for knitted items comprises a base frame 2 of the type described above, i.e. with an upper support element or ring 3, a lower base or crisscross base 4, at least two legs of support 5 and 6 and a collection space S (defined vertically between the top ring and the cross base and horizontally between the legs) absent from base frame elements. The collection space movably houses a group for taking and/or collecting 30 of the fabric T produced by the knitting machine. The knitting machine 1 comprises a knitting head H mounted on the upper support ring and provided with at least one rotating needle-bearing part O, in the form of a needle cylinder or a needle plate, of a plurality of mounted needles. movably in the needle holding part, and control means (not shown as those of the known type, e.g. control cams) capable of selectively activating the plurality of needles and allowing a fabric T to be produced. The knitting machine 1 further comprises a take-up and/or take-up group 30, movably housed in the gathering space S and configured at least to open and stretch, or possibly even possibly to pull the fabric produced by the machine from the support part. needle O and roll it into a single layer continuously on at least one take-up roller 31.

[0117] In this particular aspect of the present invention, the entire withdrawal and/or collection group 30 is swivelably mounted hanging on the base frame 2 or on the needle support part O, to be vertically suspended internally in relation to the space of collection S (as shown in Figures 16-21).

[0118] It is noted that this aspect of the invention refers to a mesh machine that has any framebase, with two, three or more legs (for example, a framebase belonging to the prior art); in this sense, the Figures show the pick-up and/or pick-up group 20 hanging from a machine that has a two-legged base frame merely by way of example.

[0119] The mesh head H is mounted on the upper support ring 3 so that the needle-bearing part O can rotate around a substantially vertical central axis A. The withdrawal and/or collection group 30 is hung on the base frame or on the needle holding part to rotate solidly or in an angularly coordinated manner with the needle holding part O.

[0120] Also in this embodiment, the needle holding portion, preferably a needle cylinder, preferably has a diameter greater than 61 centimeters (24 inches) and/or greater than 66 centimeters (26 inches) and/or greater than 76 centimeters (30 inches) and/or greater than 91 centimeters (36 inches) and/or greater than 102 centimeters (40 inches).

[0121] The withdrawal and/or collection group 30 is absent from support parts that connect the group to lateral and/or lower portions of the base frame; in particular, it is absent from support parts connecting the take-up and/or collection group to the lower base, or cross base, of the base frame and/or base frame legs.

[0122] Figures 7-12 show, for example, that the removal and/or collection group 30 preferably comprises a support frame 33 that houses the means for collecting the fabric produced by the machine and possibly means for removing the fabric produced by the machine: the support frame 33 comprises, in the upper part, mounting means 40 attachable to the base frame 2 or to the needle support part O and configured and dimensioned to support in a suspended mode the entire load of the removal and/or collection group .

[0123] The term "load" comprises the weight of the take-off and/or pick-up group 30 and the weight of the tissue T collected on at least one pick-up roller 31, and also comprises the stresses determined by the rotation of the take-off group and/ or collect and transmitted to the base frame or the needle support part.

[0124] The mounting means 40 are preferably arranged exclusively in an upper position on the frame 33 and are not present at the bottom and/or side in relation to the frame.

[0125] The pick-up and/or pick-up group 30 is internally hung on the base frame and all the weight, as defined above, is internally supported by the base frame, or the pick-up and/or pick-up group 30 is entirely hung on the needle holding part and the entire weight is fully supported by the needle holding part.

[0126] As shown by way of example in Figures 16-18, the mounting means 40 preferably comprise at least one mounting bracket 41 that directly connects the frame 33 of the withdrawal and/or collection group to the needle holding part O, to make the withdrawal and/or collection group solid with the needle support part; the mounting support supports the entire weight of the withdrawal and/or collection group and, at the same time, acts as a transmission part of the movement of the needle holding part to the withdrawal and/or collection group, so that the rotations of the needle holding part and the withdrawal and/or collection group occur synchronously and coaxially, i.e., a determined angular rotation of the needle holding part around the central geometric axis corresponds to the same angular rotation of the withdrawal part and/or collects around the geometric axis. The at least one mounting bracket 41 is preferably fixed to a single continuous sector of the needle-bearing part O, wherein the sector has an angular extent comprised between 10° and 180° and/or comprised between 20° and 150° and/or between 30° and 120° and/or between 45° and 90° with respect to the central geometric axis A.

[0127] In a further embodiment (not shown), the mounting means comprise a pair of mounting supports that connect the withdrawal and/or pickup group frame directly to the needle support part in two distinct and separate positions, of preferably, opposite in diameter to each other, of the needle holding part.

[0128] In an additional embodiment, independent of the previous embodiments and shown by way of example in Figures 19-21, the base frame 2 comprises a retaining-guide ring 8, mounted on the legs in a lower position in relation to the upper ring 3 and coaxial with it; the guide-containment ring 8 exhibits a central hole through which the fabric T, produced by the machine and arising from the needle-bearing part O, progressively descends into the collection space S. The guide-containment ring 8 comprises a outer ring 8a fixed and solidly restrained to the base frame and an inner ring 8b coaxial to and pivotally mounted to the outer ring. The outer ring 8a and the inner ring 8b of the retaining-guide ring 8 together preferably form a fifth wheel or bearing, preferably of the rotary type.

[0129] The mounting means 40 preferably comprise fastening parts 45 that directly connect the frame 33 of the withdrawal and/or collection group 30 to the inner ring 8b of the containment ring 8, to make the withdrawal and/or collection group 30 solid with inner ring. In this case, the fastening parts 45 support at least partially the load mentioned above from the withdrawal and/or collection group.

[0130] Referring to the embodiment shown by way of example in Figures 19-21, the mounting means 40 preferably comprise a respective drive transmission part 42 that connects the needle-bearing part O to the frame 33 of the withdrawal group and/or collection, so that the rotations of the needle holding part of the withdrawal and/or collection group and the inner ring occur synchronously and coaxially, that is, at a determined angular rotation of the needle holding part around the The central geometric axis A corresponds to the same angular rotation of the withdrawal and/or collection group 30 and of the inner ring around the geometric axis.

[0131] The fastening parts 45 are preferably configured to support the entire load of the withdrawal and/or collection group 30, and the transmission part 42 is configured to transmit the rotation of the needle holding part to the withdrawal group and/or collects and stops the inner ring without supporting the load. In the latter case, as shown by way of example in Figures 19 and 20, the transmission part comprises a support - or rod - fixed to the needle holding part and an extraction pin fixed to the inner ring 8b of the containment ring 8: the extraction pin is engaged in a seat in the base frame of the support so that, during the rotation of the needle holding part, the support extracts the pin and with it the entire inner ring 8a of the containment ring, to which, in turn, the frame of the withdrawal and/or collection group is fixed; through this, the rotation of the needle holding part is correspondingly transferred to the withdrawal and/or collection group. It is observed that the support-extraction pin coupling only serves to transmit the rotation, synchronously, of the needle support part to the withdrawal and/or collection group, while the load is entirely supported by the fixing parts 45 (which connect directly frame 33 to inner ring 8b of containment ring 8).

[0132] In an alternative aspect to the above, the fastening parts 45 are configured to support a fraction of the load of the pick-up and/or collection group, and the transmission part 42 is configured to transmit the rotation of the support part of needle for the withdrawal and/or collection group and for the inner ring and, at the same time, support the remaining fraction of the load not supported by the fixing parts.

[0133] The fraction supported by the fastening parts is preferably greater than 80% of the load, and/or greater than 60% of the load, and/or greater than 40% of the load, and/or corresponding to the remaining fraction supported by the part of transmission is respectively less than 20% of the load, and/or less than 40% of the load, and/or less than 60% of the load.

[0134] Frame 33 preferably comprises a beam 34, positioned substantially horizontally in the collection space S, and a pair of lateral support plates 35 and 36, fixed to the two opposite sides of the beam 34 and facing each other . Side plates 35 and 36 are preferably substantially vertically positioned. The beam 34 and the side plates 35 and 36 preferably support the means for collecting the fabric produced by the machine and/or the means for tensioning the fabric produced by the machine and/or the means for tensioning the fabric produced by the machine. The beam 34 preferably extends longitudinally, below the needle-bearing portion O, substantially symmetrically with respect to the central axis A of the needle-bearing portion and parallel to the central axis.

[0135] The fastening parts 45 preferably comprise one or more screws 46, or one or more weld beads or equivalent means, which fix the frame beam directly to the inner ring 8b of the upper ring 8 of the base frame 2.

[0136] The fastening parts can preferably comprise a respective mounting support of the frame on the inner ring of the containment ring.

[0137] The pick-up and/or pick-up group 30 preferably exhibits a total empty weight, i.e., with the pick-up roller 31 without fabric produced by the machine, in the order of or, or substantially equivalent to, the weight of a maximum quantity of fabric windable on the take-up roller 31, and/or exhibits a total empty weight of between 90% and 110%, or between 80% and 120%, or between 70% and 130%, or between 50% and 150%, or between 20% and 200%, of the weight of a maximum amount of fabric windable on the take-up roller 31. In this mode also of the circular knitting machine, the needle-supporting part can be a needle cylinder or a needle plate, and the knitting machine can be of the single bed type (comprising a single needle holding part) or the double bed type (comprising two needle holding parts, respectively, a needle cylinder and a needle plate) .

[0138] As shown in Figures 7-21, the withdrawal and/or collection group 30 preferably comprises the collection roller 31, rotatably mounted on the frame 33 to be able to rotate around a respective geometric axis of rotation substantially horizontal; as described above, the take-up roller 31 is intended to collect, wound on it and in a single continuous layer, a fabric T produced by the knitting machine. The collection roller 31 extends between two longitudinal ends at which it is pivotally mounted on the side plates 35 and 36. The geometric axis of rotation of the collection roller 31 is preferably oriented parallel to the longitudinal development of the beam 34 of the frame 33. In a possible embodiment, the withdrawal and/or collection group may substantially comprise means 95 of flattening the fabric T arising from the knitting machine, when the fabric is produced by the knitting head in the form of a form of closed tubular knitted articles .

[0139] The flattening means 95 preferably comprises a pair of rods 96 or rollers arranged substantially horizontally in the collection space S below the needle holding part O or at the top of the collection roller 31, wherein the pair rods or rollers is arranged transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the geometric axis of rotation of the collection roller.

[0140] The bars 96 or rollers are preferably divided from each other to define a substantially linear passage for the tubular fabric T, wherein the passage determines a substantial flattening of the tubular fabric on closure along a diameter thereof.

[0141] In a possible embodiment (not illustrated), the withdrawal and/or collection group may comprise cutting means arranged downstream of the flattening means and capable of longitudinally cutting, along a preferably vertical generatrix, the tubular fabric produced by the knitting machine to be able to open it subsequently and roll it into a single layer on the take-up roller.

[0142] The withdrawal and/or collection group 30 preferably comprises opening means 50 of the incoming tissue directly as a single layer of the needle holding part or obtained by cutting a tubular tissue produced by the needle holding part . The opening means 50 comprise at least one opening rod 51 mounted, preferably fixed, in the frame and structured to determine an opening, through progressive spacing, of two lateral edges of the fabric, in which the fabric passes in the opening rod 51 on descending it into the collection space S towards the collection roller 31 and extends in width on the opening rod as a single layer of fabric.

[0143] The opening bar 51 preferably extends longitudinally between two respective ends 52 and 53, each mounted on a respective frame side plate, and extends laterally from a front side of the beam 34 of the frame 33. The opening bar preferably exhibits a curved conformation and progressively arises from the two respective ends spaced apart from the beam to display a central portion 54, or point, which has a maximum distance from the beam and capable of guiding the descent of a portion. central fabric in a single layer.

[0144] The opening rod 51 is preferably substantially symmetrical with respect to a vertical plane that crosses the central geometric axis of the needle support part and perpendicular to the geometric axis of rotation of the collection roller.

[0145] The opening stem 51 preferably has a general rounded V-shape shape, i.e. it exhibits a curved central portion 54, or an arc of circumference, and two linear portions 55 and 56 that branch in opposite directions , from two sides of the central portion and ending in the respective side plate 35 and 36 of the frame 33. The opening rod 51 is preferably arranged, in the withdrawal and/or collection group 30, substantially horizontally. The central portion 54, or point, is preferably secured by one or more central bars to the frame. The opening rod 51 is preferably mounted on the frame 33 so that the lateral extension thereof can be adjusted with respect to the beam, in particular the maximum distance from the central portion, or point, can be adjusted with respect to the beam 34 of the painting.

[0146] The withdrawal and/or collection group 30 preferably additionally comprises a guide ring 57 mounted, preferably fixedly, in the frame 33 in a position superior to the opening rod 51, wherein the guide ring is structured to guide the descent of the fabric T produced by the knitting machine, which arises directly as a single layer of the needle holding part or obtained by cutting a tubular fabric produced by the needle holding part O.

[0147] The guide ring 57 is preferably provided with an internal hole from which the fabric descends, preferably sliding inside the guide ring. The guide ring makes it possible to eliminate the tensions present in the fabric at the exit of the needle-bearing part, which tends to curl or form a spiral, which is undesirable, in the material around the central geometric axis of the machine; in that way, the fabric reaches the cutting means (if present) and the opening means without tension internally and vertically with respect to the needle holding part.

[0148] The guide ring 57 preferably extends laterally from the front side of the beam into which the opening bar 51 extends, where the guide ring is superimposed on the opening bar 57.

[0149] The guide ring 57 is preferably disposed substantially horizontally in the withdrawal and/or collection group 30.

[0150] The guide ring is preferably spaced at the top of the opening bar 57 by a distance of between 1 cm and 100 cm and/or between 5 cm and 50 cm and/or between 10 cm and 30 cm.

[0151] The opening bar 51 and the guide ring 57 are preferably positioned in the withdrawal and/or collection group 30 so that the tissue T arising from the needle holding part descends internally in relation to the guide ring, crossing the guide ring hole and at the bottom of the guide ring before passing outwardly in relation to the spreader rod and proceeding down the guide ring towards the pickup roller.

[0152] The guide ring 57 is preferably substantially circular in shape and is secured to the frame 33 to be substantially coaxial with the needle holding portion O. The guide ring 57 is preferably secured to a central portion of the beam 33 .

[0153] Some modalities of a collection and/or collection group are now described, for open circular mesh machines according to additional aspects of the present invention, with particular reference to the schematic representations of Figures 13 and 14.

[0154] It is considered that the various modalities of a collection and/or collection group of the present invention, although illustrated in combination with a base frame according to the present invention, are independent of the circular mesh machines shown by means of example in the Figures and can be used with any open type circular mesh machine, even of the known type and/or as a substitute for collection groups and/or collection of the known type.

[0155] Additionally, it is observed that the expression "removal and/or collection group" identifies this group in reference to open type circular knitting machines, characterized by the fact that it produces an "open" fabric in a single layer , and collects the same rolled up on a take-up roller (thus preventing free descent or free collecting of the tissue below the needle holding part). In this sense, the removal and/or collection group certainly deals with tissue collection, based on the operation of open machines, although the operation of removing tissue from the needle support part is optional (although widely used in open machines which produce tubular fabric cut longitudinally with the purpose of being opened to form a single layer), since this operation in open type machines can be delegated to the withdrawal and/or collection group (which, in this case, becomes a "group collection and collection") or performed directly on the needle support part (in this case, the removal and/or collection group becomes a collection group, which receives a tissue that is already tensioned and collects it.

[0156] The withdrawal and/or collection group 30 for circular knitting machines of the open type comprises opening means 50 of the fabric T in open conformation, arising directly as a single layer of the needle-bearing part or obtained by means of cutting of a tubular fabric produced by the needle holding part. The opening means comprise at least one opening rod 51 mounted preferably fixed to the frame 33 and structured to determine an opening by progressively distancing two lateral edges of the fabric, wherein the fabric passing the opening rod in the descent of the fabric towards a take-up roller 31 and extends in width on the opening rod as a single layer of fabric. The withdrawal and/or collection means comprise at least one collection roller 31 rotatably mounted on the frame and intended to receive the fabric from the opening means and collect the same wound therein in a single continuous layer, wherein the roller collection is capable of rotating around a respective geometric axis of rotation.

[0157] The take-up and/or take-up group 30 further comprises at least one relay roller 70 operatively interposed between the fabric opening means and the take-up roller along a fabric advancing path, wherein the fabric roller relay takes tissue from the opening means and sends it in a single layer towards the take-up roller. The relay roller is capable of rotating around a respective geometric axis of rotation, along which it stretches longitudinally.

[0158] The withdrawal and/or collection group 30 additionally comprises at least one stretcher roller 60, or tensioning roller, mounted on the frame in an operationally intermediate position between the opening means 50 and the collection roller and arranged with a respective longitudinal axis L substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the pick-up roller. The stretcher roller 60 is configured to interact with the fabric T which advances towards the take-up roller so as to tension it making it flat, enlarging it between two lateral ends 61, 62 of the stretcher roller.

[0159] As shown by way of example in Figures 13 and 14, the relay roller 70 has a respective geometric axis of rotation seated in a first vertical plane 71, wherein the collection roller 31 has a respective geometric axis of rotation seated in a second vertical plane 72 and the stretcher roller 60 has a longitudinal axis L thereof seated in a third vertical plane 73.

[0160] The stretcher roller 60 is positioned in the withdrawal and/or collection group so that the distance between the third plane and the first plane is at least equal to the distance between the second plane 72 and the first plane 71 and that the second plane 72 and third 73 planes are in the same half-space defined by the first plane 71.

[0161] The distance between the third plane 73 and the first plane 71 is preferably exactly equal to the distance between the second plane 72 and the first plane 71. In other words, the stretcher roller 60 is vertically aligned with the collection roller 31 (As shown in Figure 13, with the stretch roller 60 shown in a solid line below the take-up roller).

[0162] The stretch roller 60 is preferably positioned at the bottom of the take-up roller 31.

[0163] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the first vertical plane and/or the second vertical plane and/or the third vertical plane are parallel to a central geometric axis of the needle-bearing part O.

[0164] In an alternative embodiment, the stretcher roller 60 is positioned in the withdrawal and/or collection group 30 so that the distance between the third plane 73 and the first plane 71 is greater than the distance between the second plane 72 and the first plane 71. In other words, the stretcher roller 60 is located in the take-up and/or take-up group 30 in a forward position relative to the take-up roller 31, i.e. on an opposite side of the take-up roller from the roller relay 70. This mode is shown in Figure 13, with the draw roller 60 in a broken line below (and advanced relative to) the take-up roller.

[0165] The stretcher roller 60 is positioned in the withdrawal and/or collection group at a lateral distance, that is, in a plane perpendicular to a central geometric axis of the needle support part, from the retransmission roller larger than the respective lateral distance of the pick-up roller from the relay roller. The respective geometric axis of rotation of the take-up roller 31 of the relay roller, the respective geometric axis of rotation of the take-up roller 31, the respective geometric axis of rotation of the relay roller 70 and the longitudinal axis L of the stretcher roller 60 are preferably parallel to each other, preferably horizontal.

[0166] The withdrawal and/or collection group may preferably comprise means for winding the fabric 80 onto the collection roller 31, configured to allow the advancement of the fabric T upon arrival of the needle holding part O and to wind the fabric continuously and evenly on the take-up roller 31.

[0167] The means for winding 80 the fabric preferably comprises at least one traction roller 81 movably mounted on the frame so as to be in contact with the collection roller 31 at a contact line C crossed by the fabric, wherein the traction roller 81 is configured to rotate so as to impart a corresponding rotation to the take-up roller and determine the continuous winding of the fabric on the take-up roller.

[0168] The traction roller 81 is preferably positioned in the take-off and/or pick-up group vertically aligned with the pick-up roller and preferably at the bottom of the same.

[0169] The at least one stretcher roller 60 is positioned in the withdrawal and/or collection group vertically aligned with the traction roller and preferably at the bottom of the same.

[0170] The traction roller 81 is preferably rotatable around a respective geometric axis of rotation seated in a fourth vertical plane. The stretcher roller 60 is positioned in the take-up and/or take-up group so that the distance between the third plane 73 and the first plane 71 is at least equal to the distance between the fourth plane and the first plane 71.

[0171] The traction roller 81 is preferably positioned in the withdrawal and/or collection group at a lateral distance, that is, in a plane perpendicular to a central geometric axis of the needle holding part, by the retransmission roller 70 by the minus equal to the respective lateral distance of the traction roller from the relay roller, and/or where the third plane and the fourth plane coincide with each other.

[0172] The at least one stretcher roller 60 is preferably positioned in the withdrawal and/or collection group so that a distance between the third plane 73 and the first plane 71 is greater than a distance between the fourth plane and the first plane .

[0173] The at least one stretcher roller 60 is preferably located in the take-up and/or pick-up group in a forward position relative to the traction roller, i.e. on an opposite side of the traction roller from the relay roller 70.

[0174] The at least one stretcher roller is preferably positioned in the withdrawal and/or collection group at a lateral distance, that is, in a plane that is perpendicular to a central geometric axis of the needle support part, from the relay roller which is greater than the lateral distance of the traction roller from the relay roller.

[0175] As shown by way of example in Figure 14, the means for wrapping 80 the fabric preferably comprise a first 81 and a second traction roller 82 which act, in a respective contact line C, on the collection roller to check in it a rotation and determine a continuous winding of the fabric on the take-up roller, in which the fabric crosses in series both the contact lines C defined by the first and second traction rollers.

[0176] The at least one stretcher roller is interposed between the first drive roller 81 and the second drive roller 82.

[0177] The at least one stretcher roller 60 is located in the take-off and/or take-up group at an intermediate position between the first drive roller 81 and the second drive roller 82.

[0178] The at least one stretcher roller 60 is preferably positioned in the withdrawal and/or collection group at a lateral distance, that is, in a plane that is perpendicular to a central geometric axis of the needle-bearing part, from of the relay roller which is greater than the respective lateral distance of the first traction roller from the relay roller and less than the respective lateral distance of the second traction roller from the relay roller.

[0179] The relay roller 70 may also preferably be a draw roller, in which the withdrawal and/or collection group in this case exhibits two draw rollers 60.

[0180] The withdrawal and/or collection group 30 may comprise a stretcher roller 60 (or two stretcher rollers, in which case the relay roller also has the function of a stretcher roller) of the conventional type, i.e., one or two draw rollers in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, which will be described below.

[0181] In the described mode of the withdrawal and/or collection group shown in Figures 7-12, the stretcher roller 60 also performs the function of a retransmission roller; in fact (see in particular Figures 7, 8, 1 and 11); the stretcher roller 60 is positioned downstream of the opening means and in a retracted position relative to the take-up roller, wherein the stretcher roller is capable of receiving, from the opening means, the open fabric and sending it in the form of a single (and flat) layer towards the pickup roller.

[0182] The withdrawal and/or collection group of the present invention may preferably further comprise pulling means 90 in a downward direction of the fabric T continuously produced by the needle holding part O, wherein the pulling means determines a tensioned lowering of the fabric into the collection space S. The pulling means 90 preferably comprise one or more pulling rollers, in series with each other, which act on the fabric to force the advancement of the same towards the collection roller 31. Figure 13 and 14, three pull rollers 91, 92, 93 are shown, by way of example, located in series with each other and crossed in sequence by the fabric T. The take-up and/or take-up group of the present invention may preferably comprise additionally cutting means (not shown, for example, of the known type) arranged downstream of the flattening means 95 (described above) and capable of cutting longitudinally, along a preferably vertical generatrix, the tec. Tubular acid T produced by the knitting machine in such a way as to be able successively to open it and roll it into a single layer on the take-up roller 31.

[0183] The withdrawal and/or collection group can comprise, according to the needs, actuators (for example, electric motors or pneumatic actuations) that allow the rotation of the various parts of the group, such as the stretch roller, the retransmission rollers , pull roller, draw rollers and/or pick-up rollers. For example, the take-up and/or take-up group can comprise respective actuators that act on the take-up roller (or traction rollers) to be set in rotation and determine the fabric winding thereon.

[0184] With particular reference to Figures 15 and 15a, there follows a description of a stretcher roller according to an additional aspect of the present invention, independent of the foregoing aspects, intended to be used in a pickup and/or collection group for drawing machines circular mesh of the open type.

[0185] The stretch roller 60, or tensioning roller, is intended to be mounted on a frame 33 of a take-up and/or take-up group 30 in an intermediate position between the needle-bearing part O of the knitting machine and the collection roller 31 for the fabric and arranged with a respective longitudinal axis L substantially parallel to the geometric axis of rotation of the collection roller 31.

[0186] The stretch roller 60 is configured to interact with the fabric T advancing towards the take-up roller 31 so that the fabric passes over at least a portion of the stretch roller, around it and in contact with it, and is configured to stretch the fabric towards two opposite side ends 61, 62 of the stretcher roll.

[0187] The stretch roller is configured to progressively open, in a widthwise direction, the fabric passing on the stretch roller, so that the fabric reaches the open take-up roller 31 and is stretched evenly over a length thereof . Additionally, the stretch roller is configured to oppose the tendency of the closed fabric portions to the two outer edges of the fabric to curl longitudinally, i.e., in the sliding direction of the fabric. The stretcher roller 60 comprises a rod 63, frame-mountable and exhibiting the longitudinal axis L, and a plurality of sectors 65 rotatably mounted on the rod 63 to be able to rotate on the rod in each sector independently of the other sectors, about a respective geometric axis of rotation 66a. Each sector 65 develops on a respective development plane 66 inclined transversely, rather than perpendicularly, to the longitudinal geometric axis L of the stretcher roller shaft 63.

[0188] In other words, each sector is arranged non-perpendicularly to the rod and rotates around a geometric axis of rotation thereof that is inclined to the longitudinal axis L of the rod 63. Additionally, the respective geometric axis of The rotation of each sector 65 is perpendicular to the respective plane of development 66, and each sector 65 rotates, around the geometric axis of rotation thereof, while remaining in the respective plane of development 66.

[0189] Each sector 65 is preferably rotatably mounted on the rod 63 so as to be able to freely rotate stationary on the rod, around the geometric axis of rotation thereof. In other words, sectors 65 are preferably not activated by an actuator, and are free to rotate - in both directions of rotation - around the geometric axis of rotation 66a thereof. Each sector is rotated by the fabric T in contact with it, by the effect of the fabric advancing towards the take-up roller 31. In other words, the rotation of each sector takes place by the effect of extracting the fabric advancing on it.

[0190] The rotation speed of each sector 65 is preferably equal, at all points thereof in contact with the fabric T, to the fabric advancement speed.

[0191] As shown in Figure 15, the plurality of sectors 65 preferably comprises a first group 68 of sectors and a second group 69 of sectors, and that the first group of sectors displays sectors 65 that have respective development plans 66, all with the same first inclination a with respect to the longitudinal geometric axis of the drawing roller shaft, and the second group 69 of sectors exhibits sectors 65 having respective development planes 66, all with the same second inclination with respect to the longitudinal geometric axis L of the drawing roller rod.

[0192] The first group 68 of sectors preferably extends from a central portion 64 of the stretcher roller rod towards a first end 61 of the stretcher roller and the second group 69 of sectors extends from the central portion of the rod toward a second end 62 of the stretch roller, opposite the first end 61.

[0193] The first inclination a and the second inclination are preferably mirrored, or opposite, with respect to a geometric axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L, or with respect to the central portion 64 of the shank.

[0194] Each sector 65 of the first group 68 of sectors is preferably configured to exert, on the portion of the fabric in contact with it, a stretching force towards the first end 61 of the stretch roller, and each sector 65 of the second group 69 of sectors is configured to exert, on the respective portion of the fabric T in contact with it, a stretching force towards the second end 62 of the stretcher roll, so that the entire fabric T opens or stretches completely in width between the first 61 and second ends 62 of the stretcher roll.

[0195] The first inclination of the development plan 66 of sectors 65 of the first group 68 of sectors is preferably equal to an angle, with respect to the longitudinal geometric axis of the rod, less than 89° and/or less than 87°, and /or less than 85° and/or less than 80°, and is greater than 50° and/or greater than 60° and/or greater than 70°.

[0196] The second slope is preferably mirrored, with respect to a geometric axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, with respect to the first slope, and is equal to the angle of the first slope.

[0197] The sum of the value of the smallest angle formed by the development plans 66 of the sectors of the first group 68 of sectors with the longitudinal geometric axis of the stretcher roller 60, and the value of the largest angle formed by the development plans 66 of the sectors of the second The group 69 of sectors with the longitudinal geometric axis of the stretcher roll is preferably substantially 180°.

[0198] The algebraic sum of the value of the smallest angle formed by the 66 development plans of sectors 65 of the first group 68 of sectors with the longitudinal geometric axis L of the stretcher roll, and the value of the respective smallest angle formed by the 66 and development plans sectors 65 of the second group 69 of sectors with the longitudinal geometric axis L of the drawing roller is preferably 0°, i.e. the value of the smallest angles formed by the development planes of the first group of sectors with the longitudinal geometric axis L and the value of the smallest angles formed by the development planes of the second group of sectors with the longitudinal geometric axis L are equal to each other and opposite.

[0199] Similarly, each sector 65 preferably has the geometric axis of rotation thereof inclined at an angle, relative to the longitudinal axis of the rod, greater than 1° and/or greater than 3° and/or greater than 5° and/or greater than 10° and less than 40° and/or less than 30° and/or less than 20°. The stretcher roller 60 is preferably mounted on the take-up and/or take-up group 30 so that the fabric T, on advancing it around the stretcher roller 60, is wound limitedly on a contact portion of the outer surface of the stretcher roller, wherein the contact portion is continuous and extends over a given angle, less than one full revolution, from a clamping line, in which the fabric begins to come into contact with the stretch roller, to a separation line, in which the fabric separates from the stretch roller and proceeds on a trajectory thereof towards the take-up roller 31. The contact portion presently varies in each sector and remains constant in space with respect to the shank of the stretch roller 60.

[0200] The stretcher roll 60 is preferably mounted in the take-off and/or take-up group so that the contact portion on which the fabric T is wound on the stretcher roll corresponds to respective portions of the sectors of the first group 68 of capable sectors 65 to move, during the rotation of the sectors, the overlying fabric towards the first end of the stretching roller, and correspond to respective portions of the sectors 65 of the second group 69 of sectors capable of moving, during the rotation of the sectors, the overlying fabric towards to the second end 62 of the stretcher roll.

[0201] The stretcher roller 60 is preferably mounted on the withdrawal and/or collection group 30 so that the portions of the sectors of the first group 68 of sectors corresponding to the contact portion are facing the first end 61 of the stretcher roller, and the portions of the sectors of the second group 69 of sectors corresponding to the contact portion are facing the second end 62 of the stretcher roll, so that the fabric T, in its path along the contact portion of the stretcher roll, is open and stretched laterally and towards the two ends of the drawing roller from the sectors of the first 68 and the second group 69 of sectors.

[0202] Each sector 65 of the stretching roller 60 preferably stretches the fabric in contact with it laterally, in its advancement between the attachment line and the separation line, by a volume, along the longitudinal geometric axis L of the roller , proportional both to the inclination of the respective sector development plan in relation to the longitudinal geometric axis L of the shank and to the angular and surface extension of the contact portion between the fixation line and the separation line.

[0203] The rod 63 is preferably attached to the frame 33 of the withdrawal and/or collection group 30 so that the fabric T, between the attachment line for the stretch roller and the separation line, is progressively extracted towards the first end 61 of the stretcher roll in the portion thereof in contact with the sectors of the first group 68 of sectors, and is progressively drawn out towards the second end 62 of the stretcher roll in the portion thereof in contact with the sectors of the second group 69 of sectors .

[0204] The stretcher roller 60 is preferably configured to be mountable in the frame of the withdrawal group and/or support, keeping the longitudinal axis L of the rod fixed and varying the angular position of the rod, to modify the angular position of sectors 65 of the roll in relation to the fixation line and the separation line of the fabric T. In this way, it is possible to vary the effect of the sectors on the fabric, increasing or reducing the lateral stretch performed by the sectors.

[0205] In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the stretcher roller 60 is mounted on the frame 33 of the withdrawal and/or collection group so that the sectors 65 exert a force towards the central portion 64 of the rod 63 and determine a narrowing of the fabric T, that is, a reduction in width or closure, as it passes through the roll.

[0206] As shown in Figures 15 and 15a, each of the sectors has a disk, wheel or roller conformation, in particular, which has a circular section.

[0207] Each sector 65 preferably has an external sector that is substantially null. All sectors 65 of the first sector group 68 are identical to each other and all sectors 65 of the second sector group 69 are identical to each other. Even more preferably, as shown by way of example in the Figures, all sectors 65 of the stretcher roller 60 are identical to each other, possibly with only a variation of the relative inclination with respect to which they are mounted on the rod 63. Sectors 65 are of preferably carried out by molding, for example, plastic material. Sectors 65 are preferably configured to prevent the fabric T from slipping on the external surface, so that the fabric, in their advancement between the attachment line and the separate line, does not slide or run through the sectors, but is constantly in contact with the outer surface of the sectors and thus stretched towards the ends 61 and 62 of the stretcher roller. The sectors 65 preferably exhibit their outer surface covered with rubber or another suitable material to increase the adhesion of the fabric to the sectors and the tension exerted by the fabric sectors.

[0208] Each sector 65 is preferably mounted on the rod by means of a respective flat bearing, in which the sector is rotatable around the bearing and in which the sector is solid and internally restricted to the stretcher roller rod. The shank preferably has a polygonal section (preferably non-circular) and the bearing of each sector has a central hole that is complementary shaped to the shank section, as to prevent rotation of the bearing on the shank and/or guide the insertion of the sectors on the rod with the correct inclination.

[0209] The plain bearing is preferably a bushing or the plain bearing is a bushing or the bearing is made of a polymer with self-lubricating technology, which has a low coefficient of friction with metals and metal alloys. The respective sectors 65 of the first 68 and the second 69 group of sectors are laterally flanked to each other and preferably substantially in contact. The stretcher roller may possibly exhibit sectors 65 only in one or more longitudinal portions, between the first 61 and second 62 end of the roller, in which a stretching is to be carried out in the direction of the fabric width T in advance towards the roller. collection 31.

[0210] In the withdrawal and/or collection group, the stretch roller is preferably disposed transversely (preferably perpendicularly) to the fabric advance direction T at a point at which the fabric contacts the stretch roller 60 and begins advancing on the roller 60. The stretcher roller 60 is preferably mounted on the frame 33 of the take-up and/or take-up group 30 in an intermediate position between the opening means 50 and the take-up roller 31.

[0211] Note that the stretch roller described above, object of the present invention, can be advantageously used internally of a withdrawal group, according to the present invention, for example, the withdrawal group as in Figure 7 or a group a withdrawal group as described with reference to Figures 13 or 14 or a withdrawal group as described with reference to Figures 16-18 or 19-21. In general, the stretcher roll 60 of the present invention can be used with any open type circular mesh machine, both in accordance with the present invention and of the known type, including in replacement of stretcher rolls already present in the machine. It is understood that the invention is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all within the scope of the concept of the invention, and the mentioned components can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements. The invention provides important advantages. Firstly, the invention allows some of the disadvantages of the prior art to become obvious.

[0212] Additionally, the two-legged base frame allows to obtain an open type circular mesh machine that exhibits a smaller overall size in relation to known solutions, in particular, a smaller width.

[0213] Additionally, the open mesh type machine with the two-legged base frame allows to facilitate the transport of the machine itself and, in particular, transport the machine with the total base frame already assembled, which includes using the means of shipping of a standard type.

[0214] An additional advantage of the open mesh type machine with the two-legged base frame refers to the greater accessibility of the machine and, in particular, the possibility of accessing the collection space and approaching the mesh head and the needle support part.

[0215] An additional advantage of the open mesh type machine with the two-legged base frame refers to the possibility to quickly and easily carry out the loading and unloading operations of the fabric produced and collected by the take-off and/or collection group.

[0216] An additional advantage of the open-knit type machine with the two-legged base frame refers to the possibility of increasing the width of the fabric produced by the machine (or pulling it) by increasing the longitudinal dimension of the machine without increase its transversal load; in other words, the machine can be significantly and longitudinally extended without this leading to considerable extension in a transverse direction.

[0217] The open-mesh type machine with the two-legged base frame is additionally characterized by a simple and rational structure, and allows for the simplification of the operations of realization, assembly, installation and maintenance of the real machine.

[0218] Additionally, the open-mesh type machine with two-legged base frame allows for increased productivity compared to known machines.

[0219] The present invention additionally provides several modalities of the withdrawal and/or collection groups capable of providing several advantages. Firstly, a withdrawal and/or collection group of the present invention is characterized by a simple, compact and rational structure and allows the mounting on the base frame of the machine to be done in an efficient manner both from the point of view of load support and from the point of view of synchronizing the rotation with respect to the needle holding part.

[0220] Additionally, a withdrawal and/or collection group of the present invention is able to open and stretch the tissue effectively and uniformly, preventing the formation of wrinkles and curling of the edges of the collected tissue.

[0221] The present invention additionally provides a stretcher roller which, in turn, offers several advantages. First, the stretch roller of the present invention allows for the complete opening and stretching of the fabric effectively in a flat configuration, preventing and preventing the formation of wrinkles and creases along the entire width of the fabric. Additionally, the stretch roller makes it possible to make the stretching of the fabric uniform before reaching the take-up roller, leading to an advantageous fabric stretching effect.

[0222] Additionally, the stretch roller avoids the problem of winding the sides of the fabric and especially the problem evident in the technical sector of open type knitted machines.

[0223] Also, the stretch roller allows the reduction of the space required, internally in relation to the withdrawal and/or collection group, to perform an effective stretching of the fabric before being wound on the collection roller; this is turned into an overall compression of the entire pickup and pickup group.

[0224] An additional advantage of the stretcher roll of the present invention is its modularity, in view of its realization that uses a plurality of distinct sectors independently mountable. This modularity increases the versatility of the stretching roller, which is transformed into a greater capacity to adapt to the various types of fabric to be treated and the various dimensions. Versatility refers both to the choice of the fabric portions (in width) to be stretched, and the entity of the lateral stretch imposed on the fabric. Furthermore, the structure of the drawing roller (in particular, its modularity) makes it simple to carry out and means that it is characterized by a modest overall cost in relation to the performance and quality provided.

Claims (10)

1. CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE FOR KNITTING ITEMS (1) OF AN "OPEN" TYPE AND CONFIGURED TO PRODUCE FABRIC (T) AND COLLECTING THE SAME IN AN OPEN CONFIGURATION, ie IN A SINGLE LAYER, in which the machine is characterized as it comprises: - a base frame (2) that constitutes the machine's support structure; - a mesh head (H) mounted on said base frame (2) and provided with at least one needle support part (0), which is in the form of a needle cylinder or a needle plate, with a plurality of needles movably mounted to said at least one needle-bearing portion, and with control means for selectively activating said plurality of needles to enable production of a fabric; wherein said base frame (2) comprises: - an upper support element or ring (3), in which said mesh head is mounted so that said needle-bearing part can rotate about an axis vertical central geometric (A); - a lower base, or crossed base (4), intended to be at least partially rested on the ground; - two and only two support legs (5, 6) interposed between and connecting, in two distinct and laterally spaced positions, said upper ring (3) and said lower base (4), so that said upper ring is vertically superimposed on, and distanced from, said lower base, and between them a collection space (S) is vertically defined, free from elements of said base frame and intended to mobileally house a withdrawal group and/or collection of said fabric produced by the knitting machine, wherein said two legs (5, 6) are arranged in correspondence with two respective sides of said upper ring and said lower base, or cross base, in order to laterally delimit said collection space (S). 2. MESH MACHINE (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises said withdrawal and/or collection group (30) movably mounted on said base frame (2) and/or on said part of needle support (0) and positioned in said collection space (S) interposed between the upper ring (3) and the cross base (4), wherein said withdrawal and/or collection group is configured to rotate around the said central geometric axis (A), solidly with said needle support part (0), and/or in which the withdrawal and/or collection group comprises a collection part (31) having the shape of a roller of collection (31) and is configured and predisposed to open and stretch, possibly pulling from said needle holding part, the fabric (T) produced by the machine, winding it in a single layer and continuously on said collection roller, and/or wherein said withdrawal and/or collection group (30) comprises cutting means capable of cutting a tubular fabric, produced by the machine. in the mesh, to open it so as to be able to wind the fabric of a single layer on said collection roller, and/or wherein said upper support ring (3) is coaxial with said central geometric axis. KNITTING MACHINE (1), according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said two legs (5, 6) have a vertical development and are structured to stably support said upper ring (3), and/or in that the two legs of the base frame are aligned along a longitudinal plane (P) and said central geometric axis (A) of the needle-bearing part is parallel to said longitudinal plane, and/or wherein said longitudinal plane (P) is vertical, and/or wherein the two legs are aligned along said longitudinal plane (P) so as to form two equal angles of 180° between them. 4. KNITTING MACHINE (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the knitting machine exhibits a total length, defined as a load along said longitudinal plane (P), externally delimited by the two legs ( 5, 6), and exhibits an overall width, defined as a machine load in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, wherein said overall length and said overall width define a maximum knitting machine load, and/or in that a first leg (5) of said two legs extends vertically between a lower end (5a), connected and mounted to a first mounting portion (4a) of said cross-base, and a respective upper end (5b), connected and mounted on said upper ring (3), and/or wherein a second leg (6) of said two legs extends vertically between a respective lower end (6a), connected and mounted on a second mounting portion (4b) of the base crusade, opposite to said first p mounting bracket (4a), and a respective upper end (6b), connected and mounted to said upper ring (3) in an opposite position relative to the first leg (5), and/or wherein the first leg (5) and the second leg (6) are identical to each other. 5. KNITTING MACHINE (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the two legs (5, 6) exhibit a width, in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal plane (P), less than 100 cm or less than 75 cm or less than 50 cm or less than 25 cm and/or exhibit a width, in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal plane, greater than 10 cm or greater than 15 cm or greater than 20 cm, and/or in which the cross base (4) comprises a central portion (4c), which extends between said first (4a) and said second mounting portions (4b) and centrally crossed by said central geometric axis (A) of the bearing part. needle, and/or wherein the crisscross base (4) further comprises one or more lateral portions (7a, 7b) solidly restricted and coplanar with said central portion (4c) and extending on opposite sides of the central portion in the two planes divided opposite with respect to said longitudinal plane (P) of the knitting machine. 6. KNITTING MACHINE (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the base frame (2) exhibits a general closed polygonal structure, which develops in said longitudinal plane (P), and/or in that the base frame (2) exhibits a portal structure, wherein said portal structure is delimited at the top by said support ring, at the bottom by said cross base and laterally by said two support legs, to define an open passage (S) in a transverse direction and perpendicular to said longitudinal plane (P) and delimited along the longitudinal plane by the two support legs, wherein said passage houses the withdrawal and/or collection group (30), and/or wherein the total width of the base frame of the knitting machine is less than 230 cm, and/or wherein said needle support portion has a diameter greater than 61 centimeters (24 inches) or greater than 66 centimeters (26 inches) or greater than 76 centimeters (30 inches) or greater than 91 cent meters (36 inches) or greater than 102 centimeters (40 inches). 7. KNITTING MACHINE (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said cross base (4) has a lateral extension, in one or both of the divided planes identified by the longitudinal plane (P), at least equal to the width of said two legs (5, 6) and/or wherein the crossed base (4) has a lateral extension, in one or both of the two divided planes identified by the longitudinal plane (P), equal to the lateral extension of said needle support part (O), or equal to the diameter of the needle support part and/or in which the cross base (4) has a lateral extension, in one or both of the two divided planes identified by the longitudinal plane (P) , equal to the lateral extension of said upper ring (3). 8. KNITTING MACHINE (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cross base (4) extends laterally beyond the lateral width of said two legs (5, 6), in one or both of the divided planes identified by the longitudinal plane (P), at least by 10 cm or by 20 cm or by 40 cm or by 60 cm or by 80 cm or by 100 cm and/or in which said crossed base (4) has a respective total width, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (P), greater than 50cm or greater than 100 cm or greater than 150cm or greater than 200cm, and/or in which the lateral load of the crossed base (4) is symmetrical in relation to said longitudinal plane (P) and/or wherein the respective width of the cross base (4) is defined as the total lateral load of said two lateral portions of the cross base (4). 9. MESH MACHINE (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the base frame (2) comprises an additional containment ring (8), mounted on the upper ends (5a, 6a) of said two legs (5, 6) in a lower position in relation to the upper ring (3) and/or wherein said additional ring (8) exhibits a central hole through which the fabric (T) produced by the machine and arising from the said needle supporting part, progressively descends to said collection space (S) and/or wherein the needle supporting part (O) is a needle cylinder or a needle plate and/or in which the frame- base (2) is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal plane (P) and/or where the knitting machine (1) is of a single needle bed type or a double needle bed type. 10. KNITTING MACHINE (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that each of said two legs (5, 6) comprises a respective vertically extending pile (11, 12), which exhibits in the lower part said lower end (5b, 6b) of the leg and a respective horizontally extending crosspiece (13, 14) ending with said upper end (5a, 6a) of the leg, wherein each crosspiece is solidly joined, at an end thereof opposite to said upper ring (3), to a top of the respective stake so that the leg adopts an angular conformation or an L-shaped conformation, and/or in which each one among said two crossed pieces (13, 14) it has the capacity to laterally distance the peg (11, 12) of the respective leg in relation to said upper ring (3) in order to increase the extension of said collection space (S) in a direction of said longitudinal plane (P), in which the two cross pieces (13, 14) are positioned above the collection space and wherein the two pegs (11, 12) are positioned on sides of the collection space and/or wherein the base frame (2) comprises at least one closure casing (15, 16, 17, 18) of the collection space (S) movably mounted on at least one of said legs (5, 6) and configured to close laterally, with respect to the longitudinal plane, said collection space, said at least one casing which is positioned laterally to the collection space beyond the lateral extension of the cross base (4) and/or wherein said at least one casing (15, 16, 17, 18) is movably mounted on said base frame at least between a closed configuration, in which it prevents access to the collection space, and an open configuration, in which it allows access to the collection space (S) transversely to said longitudinal plane (P).

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